Effect of adding sorbitol and/or L-carnitine to dairy goat' diets on some metabolic parameters and productivity...

This study evaluated the effects of dietary sorbitol and/or L-carnitine as feed additives on rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, and productivity of lactating Zaraibi goats. Twenty goats (average body weight 40.86 ± 0.99 kg), similar in age, parity, and kidding rate, were randomly assigned to four experimental groups. The experimental period extended from 21 days pre-partum to 90 days of the suckling period. All groups received the basal diet; G1 served as the control, G2 received sorbitol (5 g/head/day), G3 received L-carnitine (30 mg/head/day), and G4 received a combination of both additives. The results indicated that G4 exhibited the highest dry matter intake. Rumen ammonia-N significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased in the treated groups. A slight non-significant decrease in TVFAs was observed in the treated groups, except G2 which showed a slight non-significant increase in TVFAs and acetic acid, while such increase was significant (P ≤ 0.05) in propionic acid. Total milk yield was the highest in G4 with improved feed conversion efficiency. Blood analysis of G4 showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) increased glucose with decreased non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Blood urea-N, total cholesterol, triglycerides and liver enzymes (AST/ALT) were decreased, while total protein and thyroid hormones (T3/T4) were increased. The combination of sorbitol and L-carnitine synergistically improved energy metabolism, milk production, offspring growth and economic efficiency. Therefore, the study recommends the use of sorbitol with L-carnitine as an effective nutritional strategy for improving dairy goat productivity and profitability.